
cZ 



.S 
y 



0UV SbHtviUtf^ 



dapt. 0HARLS8 G. KORET, Oo. £. 2d Tt. Yet. Volf. 
Killed dt pfitfr,shtirgf Va., Ajrnl 2^ 1866. 



LIFE U 1 V E X, NOT LOST! 


A 


SKHM01s\ 


IX MEMORY OF 


CAPT. CHARLES C. MOREl', 


OF THK SECOXD VERMONT REGIMENT, 


PKEACIIED IN TUK 


COXCiKEG ATIONAL CHURCH, WKST-LEBANOX, N II., 


1 

Maf/ 14, 1865. 

i 
i 


~\ \iY THE PASTOR, 


REV. JOHN H. EDWARDS. 


! • ■ 
i HANOVER, N. H. 


i rRINTEl) AT THE DARTMOUTH PRESS. 


j 1865. 






)5. 



SEliMOX 



MATTHEAV Id : 81). 

He that L03ETH III8 LIFE FOR MV SAKE, SHALL FIND IT. 

Christian Hbroism is in these few sharply drawn words set clearly 
before us. The Christian life is essentially an heroic life. Those who 
know nothing of its true character may think it tame and spiritless ; 
but when we search the page of revelation or of history, the grandest 
lives, the noblest deeds are found to spring from the principles and 
motives of the Christian religion. And whatsoever is greatest in the 
lives of men who know not the true God is also most consonant with 
Christianity, so that every real and pure liero seems to have been 
led by a Spirit above that which lived in other men, and which we 
recognize to be the Spirit of God. The true Christian is ever a hero. 
He begins his career by giving up his life to Christ, and if not called 
to end it by laying it down for his Master, yet is he always ready to 
do so. In any age or lot, the Christian life is not one which is passive 
and uneventful. It is a constant warfare, which, if waged aright, is 
constant victory. It is not a struggle against mere earthly difficulties 
and adverse fortune, but against principalities and powers, against the 
mighty kingdom of darkness and its prince. It requires such courage 
of faith that when all seems dark, and victory impossible through hu- 
man might, it is still necessary to press right onward, whatever the 
next step may bring. The Christian must meet the frowns and sneers 
of men, -harder to be met than tbe gleaming points of a battle line. 
He must do that which is greater than the taking of a city, — he must 
rule his own spirit, always, every where. He dies, not once only amid 
the flush of victory, but daily. He must endure till the end, and 
overcome the last of foes, before he can enter upon his reward. 

So far as mere courage, endurance, faith, and devotion are concern- 
ed, what examples of earthly heroism can compare with the daily his- 
tory of the faithful Christian? In ancient times the hero was set in 
the rank of demigods, and worshiped. Was there ever among them 
all as much of the Godlike as is seen in a humble Christian life, over- 
coming outward and inward foes with no motive or reward of an 
earthly nature ? 



True heroism is not simple daring and doing. Is courage all ? Then 
was the assassin of our President a hero. Are devotion to a cause, 
and valiant deeds in its behalf, enough to make an heroic character ? 
Then are the annals of wickedness the records of heroes. No ! there 
must be, first of all, pure unselfishness, which in a bad cause is impos- 
sible. And then, devotion must find its inspiration and end in a noble 
purpose. The cause must exalt and illumine the actor and his deeds, 
or they cannot be called heroic. Men may fight with equal bravery, 
and die with equal devotion, and yet those upon one side — the side 
of the Right — shall be forever reckoned Patriots and Martyrs, while 
those of the other shall be remembered only to their shame. It is in 
this respect that the Christian hero is exalted above* other men whose 
deeds may make more show in the world. He lives not for himself, 
he dies not in his own behalf. He is inspired by a spirit which seeks 
not its own, but the things of God and of others. His body and soul 
are a continual sacrifice upon the altar. His life, whether it be his 
bodily hold on the things of time, or what the world calls one's life — 
pleasure, self-interest, earthly success, — he loses not for his own ad- 
vancement, but for Christ's sake. This is true heroism, to dare, en- 
dure, and sufier all things in the name of Christ. 

When, now, the Christian is called to show his courage and faith on 
the fields of earthly trial, when he adds what are, in the eye of the 
world, the heroic virtues, the qualities which make the soldier, to his 
spiritual devotion and bravery, how conspicuous is his heroism ! The 
fire in his soul, fed with the fuel of patriotism and fanned by the hot 
breath of war, shines far and wide. The love of country stands next to 
the love of Grod in the list of virtues and of the powers which inspire 
to noble deeds. Nay, the love of country, true and pure, is love to 
God, for God has given us our land, and through it rains His blessings 
down upon us. Those who lay down their lives for their country with 
Christian faith and devotion, lay them down for Christ. If justice, 
truth, liberty be in a cause, Christ is in it, and those who love the one 
purely and unselfishly, love the other. It is, indeed, impossible to tell 
where one may cease to be a Christian and still be, though not in the 
highest sense, a patriot. Certain it is that Christianity includes pat- 
riotism. " God and our country," is the watchword of the Christian 
citizen, the war cry of the Christian soldier. 

Seldom, if ever, have there been exhibited so many and so bright 
examples of Christian patriotism as during the war in which we have 
been for four years engaged, and which is noAv, thanks be unto God, 
ended. From the drummer boy, killed when upon his knees at prayer, 
to the Commander-in-Chief of our armies, our late beloved President, 



there have been those ofitll ranks, and not a few, who have given tes- 
tiiiioLiy by their lives and in their deaths that they loved both Christ 
aud their country, and that these objects of affection and devotion were 
in their hearts inseparable. How many such have we mourned, as, 
time after time, the news came that they had made the final sacrifice 
for God and their land, and were lost to us. 

Again are we called, let us hope for the last time, to lay the 
final offering of affection and honor upon a soldier's grave. One of our 
best and noblest, a true C'hristian patriot and hero, has been struck 
down in the moment of final victory, and rests now beneath the fresh 
springing grass in front of Petersl)urg. I call him mirs, for such he 
was in the tenderest sense to some of those living witli us, and such he 
hoped to be and we hoped he would one day be. We may join with 
those who mourn him most, in sorrow over and honor to ' our hero.' 

Cai'T. Charles Carroll Morev, of the Second Vermont Veteran 
Volunteers, was killed almost instantly in the last charge of thu last 
liattle of the war, on Sunday, April 2. 

To this record of his death let us add what we can of his life, that 
so the full light of his virtues may shine, for the comfort of weeping 
hearts and the instruction of all, upon his last hour. 

He was born in Tunbridge, Vt., but had spent the greater part of 
his years, which, had he lived till this month, would have numbered 
25, in the towns of Strafford and Royalton, of the same State. He 
was possessed of a fair education in the branches necessary to make an 
intelligent and useful citizen. Living among and roaming over the 
breezy hills of the Grreeu Mountain State he acijuired that bodily vig- 
or and tenacity wdiich, strengthened by the severe tests of campaign- 
ing life, enabled him to pass through all the trials and hardships of his 
four years' service in the army. The moral and religious training 
which laid the foundation for the noblest part of his character and 
life, was that of a New England Christian home. Happy are those 
who receive and profit by such instructions and influence ! With no 
particular events to mark his early life, he grew up amid quiet scenes 
and every day occupations, ac(iuiring habits and principles which stood 
by him and sustained hira through the fiery trials of camp and field. 
W^hile possessed of great vivacity, having a constant flow of good spir- 
its, he was seldom if ever carried away into the acts of folly and diso- 
bedience which seem almost inseparable from boyhood. Although a 
true boy while a boy, his nature was yet always ingenuous and manly. 
He was above a mean thing and scorned deception. He was not one 
of the most impulsive, but seemed to act from reason and reflection. 
He was, nevertheless, of an affectionate disposition, and his affections 



(J 

centered in his home. Unselfish love and confidence marked all his 
relations with those who made up the dear home circle. He was an 
obedient and faithful son, a loving brother, a cheerful and pleasant 
companion. His cheerfulness nothing could daunt, and his love of 
fun made his character at onc3 natural and attractive, for there was 
nothinc malicious in it. He was as kind as he was brave. His relig- 
ious impressions were early manifest. The seeds of truth and piety 
found in his heart a congenial soil. His Christian character seemed to 
be a growth in which there was both gradual progress, and yet distinct 
periods. There was never a time when his heart could not be touched 
by the appeals of religion, and never a time when he was not used to 
pray and think of his duties to God. When still a lad he seemed to 
give his heart to his Savior and begin with new spirit the Christian 
life. And yet he was not over-confident or forward. For many years 
the stream of his life ran quietly on, yet, it may be believed, in the 
right channel. Within a few months of the breaking out of the war 
and his first enlistment, he was anew and more deeply interested in the 
all-important truths of religion. A work of grace prevailed among his 
young companions, and he was not backward in taking a decided stand 
for Jesus, and speaking of his Savior to those around him. In this, 
God was preparing him for the duties and trials and final end of his 
army life. 

When the President, in 1861, called for 300,000 volunteers, 
Charles C. Morey was one of the names first upon the immortal 
roll. He was not quite 21, but felt the great import of the conflict 
and could not remain content in the quiet of home. It is wonderful 
how the love of country has possessed, like an inspiration, the youth 
of the nation. Young men, whose years had been spent in a circum- 
scribed spot, with no public interests or ambitions, or who had, per- 
haps, frittered away their time and mind upon the vanities and pleas- 
ures of youth, have yet been seized with such a spirit of patriotism 
and lofty devotion, that nothing could restrain them from encountering 
the toils and hardships of war, and death itself. It was not deep 
knowledge of history and political interests, nor, generally, a mere 
love of excitement, or thirsty ambition, which prompted such to throw 
themselves into the deadly breach and face the cruel fires of war. 
There is an instinct of patriotism in almost all souls which lies dor- 
mant, it may be, in times of peace, but which, strong in proportion to 
Mobility of character, is called to life by a great national exigency. 
In the young Vermont volunteer of 1861 we find that all-absorbing 
patriotism which could not remain in quiet safety while others were 
perilling their lives for their country, combined with the intelligence, 



virtue, physical strength and courage, and steadiness of mind necessa- 
ry to make a good soldier. 

Strange scenes awaited the young, fresh-hearted patriot, nurtured in 
a quiet country home. He entered a new atmosphere, and went into 
great moral perils, strong only in his own purity and uprightness, yet 
shielded by the prayers of those he had left at home, and encompassed 
by the watchful care of his (rod. The Regiment was engaged in the 
first battle of the war, Bull Run of shameful memory, and probably 
did its part there as well as any other. In this his first experience of 
actual fighting, our young soldier found courage and confidence in lift- 
inc up his heart to God, a source of strength which never failed him 
in the hour of peril. 

In the succeeding October the 2d Vermont, together with the 3d, 
■1th, 5th, and 6th Vermont Regiments were placed in one Brigade, 
which has since been known by its valor and effective fighting, as well 
as by its State name, as the Vermont Brigade. The names of 22 bat- 
tles are inscribed on the banners of the 2d \^ermont, it having partici- 
pated in one more than the Brigade — the one already mentioned. 
By means of these battle fields we can follow the Brigade through the 
Peninsular campaign, the campaign in Maryland, the bloody conflict 
at Fredericsburg, the marches and engagements of the next year's 
campaign terminating in the decisive victory of Gettysburg ; and then, 
last year, from the Wilderness — grim and terribly suggestive name — 
down that southward plunging line of march studded with bloody bat- 
tle-fields, to the barriers around Petersburg ; again in the North, 
through the glorious Autumn campaign in the Valley under Sheridan, 
and, last of all, the short, severe, and decisive work at Petersburg, 
where the Brigade as well as the army crowned itself with glory. 

Capt. Morey was with his Regiment throughout its history, being 
present with it in nearly every battle in which it was engaged. He 
occupied different positions, rising steadily in command, and solely up- 
on the wround of merit. He stood high for soldierly ability, and his 
military record is without a blemish. He was always at his post and 
always did his duty. After having been obliged to go to the hospital 
on account of a wound received in one of the battles in the Shenando- 
ah Valley, upon his recovery he was most impatient to return to his 
Reciment. " I think it wrong," he writes, " for one who is able to 
do duty to stay away ; yet it is not my fiiult that I am here." Again 
with the army, he writes, " Once more I find myself with the Regi- 
ment and feel as though I had got home," and expresses himself as 
joyfully as one long absent from his own home and kindred would up- 
on finding himself once more among them. He was by no means for- 



8 

iretflil of his dear ones left behind. IJis letters to home friends were 
frecjiient and affectionate, showing the various traits of his character in 
a vivid and natural light. While not more demonstrative than New 
I'^nglanders generally are, he yet showed deep and true teelings. More 
than once the recejttion of a letter from home amid the dangers and 
weariness of battle days is confessed to have brought tears to his eyes. 
He speaks of home as " the dear old spot rendered doul>Iy dear by our 
being deprived of its associations and enjo3'nients." He fears that " so- 
ciety will not own the rude soldier wlien he comes back, but turn a 
cold shoulder to him, because he has become hardened by scenes of 
))loodshed and carnage ;" but " I tell you, dear sister," he adds, with 
pathetic earnestness, " there are feelings, tender feelings, down deep 
in the soldier's breast, which when moved will prove that all that is 
good is not quite dead." He wishes he could be at home to assist his 
fiitluT in business and lighten his cares, and looks forward with antic- 
ipation to the scenes and labors of peaceful life. His heart seemed to 
have a divided allegiance for home and country, yet patriotism ruled, 
leading to his reenlistment as a Veteran. In his Company and Regi- 
ment he was most highly esteemed. His faithfulness, his cheerful 
good nature, his self-respect, his temperance and uprightness gained 
him the respect of all. He was a good officer and cared for his men 
with the greatest kindness. His duties were carefully and well per- 
formed, and he seemed always desirous to learn and improve. His 
letters show a constant improvement in all respects. In action he was 
singularly brave, yet never rash. The oldest General in the army car- 
ried a head no cooler upon the battle field. At 8pottsylvania, being 
in command of two Companies, when the Hegiment was caught in a 
bad position, flanked and enfiladed, he retained the utmost coolness, 
and suggested to the commanding officer the best way of getting the 
]l(\L!;iment out, working assiduously to secure the retreat of his men 
without loss. He was given this command after the first day's fighting 
in the Wilderness, when the Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel wen; 
killed, and only five officers in the ten Companies of the Regiment were 
left. He soon after received a Lieutenant's commission, and when a 
Captaincy was to be filled, the officers of the line unanimously fixed 
upon him as the meritorious man for the position. This office he re- 
tained till his death. 

Upon that fearful yet glorious Sunday in April, when by terrific 
charges the enemy's line was broken and his forces shattered and 
driven back, never again to make a decided stand against the defend- 
ers of the Union, the Vermont Brigade led the Sixth Corps in its 
bloody but victorious onsets. The last charge was made upon a 



9 

Mississippi Battery which defended Gen. Lee's head quarters. I read 
from a published letter by one who took part in the affair : 

" The forces of the enemy were guided by Lee is person, but seem- 
ed wavering and uncertain in their movements, falling back from crest 
to crest and delivering a weak and scattering fire. At last they seem- 
ed to be formed for some purpose upon the tine estate where were lo- 
cated Lee's head-quarters. The artillery tire was heavy and incessant, 
still our lines pressed on, obliquing to the left to gain Lee's head- 
(juarters ; still on through a swamp so deep that in many places our 
men sunk to their armpits, while canister and grape were shrieking 
their way over their heads. But the other side is gained, and some 
500 of those first across, with several colors, all three JJrigades bear- 
ing a part, dash on for the rebel battery. Fatigue, mud, and the al- 
ready hot sun are forgotten ; but all the guns are now trained on the 
devoted band. Bushels of canister, added to the whiz of the rifle bul- 
let made the din terrible. The fatigue of the men and the constant 
slaughter brought about a temporary halt, when Lt. Nichols, of Gen. 
Warner's staflf, led forward a small party, who shot the battery hors- 
es — their infantry gives way — with a wild yell the blue coats push 
on, and the guns are taken. The commanding presence upon the gray 
horse, that seemed every where to oppose us, is gone. JJut what fear- 
ful disappointment would we then have felt had we known what a 
prize we had lost ; that Eobert E. Lee, despising death, had himself 
opposed us ; had wept over his fleeing braves ; had ordered his bat- 
tery commanders to die there, and had done all a brave man could to 
then and there save his fortunes from the wreck." 

The Official Report of the Brigade says, " During this charge Capt. 
Morey, of the Second Vermont, was instantly killed by a canister shot 
from this battery, and Lieutenants Humphrey and Tilson were severe- 
ly wounded. They were brave officers and were doing their duty no- 
bly when they fell." 

Another account says, that " although he lived some 25 or 30 min- 
utes after he was hit, (a grape shot having passed through his right 
shoulder,) he never spoke. Capt. Harrington, who belonged to the 
same Regiment, and was the first to reach him after he was wounded 
says, that he gave him, as he came up, a seemingly intelligent look, 
and a slight pressure of the hand. After his death, four men were 
sent back to bury him. A short prayer was ofiered at the grave by 
the Chaplain of a Massachusetts Colored Regiment, who was met by 
the way. He was buried not far from the spot on which he fell, hav- 
ing a board with his name and rank and the time of his death in- 
scribed upon it set up at the head of the grave." 

While we, in this quiet place, were engaged on that day in the sono- 
of praise and the devotions and instructions of the sanctuary, our 
brother was in the midst of those fierce, tumultuous scenes. At half 
past three he fell, and soon a soldier's grave, with its rounded earth 



10 

and rude head-board — such as sprinkle the whole country where our 
armies have been, from Pennsylvania to Texas — was all that gave 
sifl^n of the resting place of the brave young soldier. Perhaps there 
was added to the inscription over his head, words like these, which 
were copied by the speaker from a similar head-board within a very 
few miles, at the most, from the spot where he lies : " A good soldier, 
a faithful friend, a firm and consistent patriot." What high-sounding 
epitaph can equal these simple lines ! And to them might have been 
added in his case the words - " a true Christian," completing the de- 
scription of his character, and showing forth the surest foundation for 
hope and comfort in his early yet glorious death. 

And now, of the many things which might be said of him who was 
thus snatched away from among the living in the hour of final victory, 
after four years of faithful service in the army of his country, I can 
dwell briefly upon only two. I would speak of his patriotism and his 
Christian character, that we may carry away with us his example in 
clear relief. 

His devotion to his country was earnest and pure. It possessed him 
like a passion or an inspiration. His life was bound up with the life of 
the nation. He faced death a hundred times for the land he loved. 
In writing home he entreated that friends should pray for victoi'y. 
" Pray for us," he writes, " that we may do our duty and that God 
will give us success in the end." Amid hardships severe and protract- 
ed, he does not complain, but is willing to stay in the army, away 
from his longed-for home, as long as God shall see fit to allow the war 
to continue. To plant the good old Flag in Richmond would be the 
acme of his desires. With his intelligence and experience he must 
have comprehended well the issues of the war. However this was, his 
heart was filled with the one absorbing desire for the salvation and 
welfare of his country. He sealed his devotion with his young life's 
blood. Who has done better than he ? 

To his record as a patriot and martyr, may be added good evidence 
that he was a sincere Christian. His early religious history has been 
detailed. In the army he bore the character of a consistent Christian 
soldier. He was not, perhaps, as forward as some in public duties, 
and yet that amid such temptations and such society he should retain 
an unblemished character, and maintain a life of daily prayer and a 
spirit of firm trust in God, is better evidence than is usually given ol' 
true Christian principle. When he had been some time in the service, 
feeling the pressure of temptation around him, he asks his sister to 
pray for him lest he should fall and become worse than before. Prayer 
and praise ascended for victory. He knows not what a day may bring 



11 

forth with regard to himself, yet ho trusts the event in God't; h!md>. 
His first expressions in a letter written after the battle of the Wilder- 
neis are of deep gratitude to God for preserving his life. He believes 
that his life has been sjjared in answer to prayer, and has always been 
willing to put himself in the hands of God when going into action, 
feeling it to be a great comfort to have such a Friend. He writes that 
he is trying to do his duty through the support of God. The dear 
ones at home are remembered before the throne of grace. He was 
both modest and maidy in his piety. Those who heard him speak 
in a social prayer meeting, just before he returned to the army after 
reenlisting, will remember with what calmness and sincerity and deep 
feeling he spoke of the country, of the soldiers, of his own determina- 
tion and trust in God, asking that prayer should follow him as he went 
amid trial and temptation. I must confess that few persons have ev- 
er made such a lasting impression upon my memory in so short an ac- 
quaintance, as did he by his manliness, and solidity and sincerity of 
character, Upon returning to the army at that time he writes, that 
he had been strengthened against the many temptations of camp-life, 
and that, with God's assistance, he " would ever resist the Devil in 
whatever form he may make his appearance." He had never made 
an outward profession of religion ; but would probably have been as 
ready to do so, when opportunity should offer, as ho was to enlist in 
his country's service. Would that all our young men, in and out of 
the army, would take as firm a stand as did he, for Christ and against 
the wiles of the devil. His life, as that of a true patriot and Chris- 
tian, echoes to lis, and to his comrades in the army, the last charge of 
brave young Schneider to his coiupanions, " Stand by the Flag, and 
cling to Jesus !" 

Was such a life lost, speaking in the sense which is highest and 
truest? No ; it could not be. Bj all that he so nobly sacrificed and 
suffered, by the loss of what men call life, he found the true life. 
While he lived, he lived the noblest sentiments, the purest devotion, - 
he lived for Christ and his country. Dying, he found, we may 
confidently hope, life with Christ, life everlasting and glorious. He 
was educating by all the fiery stress and trial of his soldier's experi- 
ence, not for earth, as we had fondly hoped, but for heaven. There 
his manly nature, elevated by his unselfish patriotism, purified by the 
grace of Christ, will find room for growth, food for its noblest desires 
freedom from sin and mortal weaknesses, such as no life on earth can 
have. The peace he had fought and suffered and longed for, he found, 
but how far better than that which, in part through his toil and sacri- 



12 

tice. now blesses our land. No fears or uncertainties, no bickerings or 
recriminations, disturb that " rest of rests." His victory was not merely 
that of a soldier returning in triumph to his earthly home. Angel voices 
sang sweet strains of welcome in his battle-weary ear, and the hand of 
the Savior, we may trust, placed the victor's crown upon his brow. 
It is sad that he could not have been spared to enjoy the reward of his 
toils and sufferings in a restored and regenerated Union. So have 
we all felt and said of our beloved President, struck down by the same 
tjpii'it of treason in the first hour of his rejoicing and rest. Yet it was 
l)est as it was. When all his true followers who should fall had fallen, 
then their Commander-in-Chief went to that other shore, to be with 
his triumphant battalions there, to carry a nation's gratitude to them, 
and lead them in joyful review before the Captain of their salvation, 
to receive, with those who had been true to their God and their country, 
the welcome award, " Well done, good and. faithful servants." Our 
hero brother went thither a few days before his Chief, but soon true 
soldier and faithful leader met in those upper fields where peace 
reigns forever. 

Dear friends, you who have trained up a patriot-boy, and then given 
him to the country, be thankful that you had so much to give. It was 
no common gift. We owe to you and to him, and to such as he, the 
peace we this day enjoy. We owe it to him and his fellow martyrs 
that our children shall never have to go through such an ordeal as has 
tried the nation's heart and life for four eternal years. His name, his 
memory shall not perish from our minds, while life lasts or the na- 
tion stands. Be thankful that he was permitted to do so much for his 
country. Few have done more. Be thankful that your prayers for 
him were heard, that he was kept from falling before worse dangers 
than the bullet or the shell, and that he preserved his Christian faith 
and purpose to the last. Be thankful that he perished not in rebel pris- 
ons, by 1 ingering torment, nor upon the battle-field after days and nights 
of acrony. God sent a <juick and trusty messenger to call him home. 
Be thankful that kind friends were with him when he died, that friend- 
ly hands laid him in his last resting place, and the voice of prayer 
from Christian lips consecrated the sacred spot where now he sleeps. 
And let us be thankful that he sleeps not on an enemy's ground, in a 
rebellious State or a divided Union. By his heroic deeds and noble 
death he purchased a grave upon soil purified from the stain of slave- 
ry, and freed from the footstep of traitors. There may his ashes rest, 
while no storm shall shake the land he loved, until the trumpet sound 
and the great army of the dead shall rise from their beds and pass in 
solemn review before God the Judge of all. 



L 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




014 042 432 8 



Hollinger 

pH 8.5 

MUl Run F03.2193 



